John Thomas Vardner, 92, died peacefully surrounded by his family on June 30, 2015 in the Morgan health Center, Johnston. He was the devoted husband of the late Rosalie “Rose” (Petrucci) Vardner.
Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Oma and Elizabeth (Moan) Vardner. He served with distinction in the United States Navy during World War II before returning to Rhode Island and working as a machine operator for the Rau Fastener Company in Providence.
John was a man of exemplary character, who always had a kind word for everyone. He was a kind, positive man, who persevered even in the face of great personal tragedy. John treated everyone around him with respect, and never had a negative thing to say about anyone.
He is survived by his beloved sister, Marilyn E. Craven of Cranston and his best friend, Abe Espiritu of Cranston, as well as many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great grand nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly. He was father of the late John J. Vardner.
Private services in his memory were held.
When I die, give what is left away to children and old men that want to die.
If you need to cry, cry for your brother walking the street beside you.
And when you need me put your arms around anyone and give them what you need to give me.
I want to leave you something. Something better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I have known or loved and you cannot give me away , at least let me live in your eyes and not in your mind.
You can love me most by letting hands touch hands, by letting bodies touch bodies, and by letting go of children that need to be free.
Love does not die, people do. So when all that is left of me is love, give me away.
Merit Malloy